ᐅ Patio: Three Different Implementation Ideas from Three Landscaping Experts
Created on: 4 Nov 2025 13:44
H
home2020
Hello everyone,
We recently finished building and are currently planning our garden with a terrace. The terrace will face south and measure 40m2 (430 sq ft). We have planned to use 80 x 80 x 2 cm (32 x 32 x 0.8 inches) porcelain tiles. The terrace should be accessible from the living room via a minimal step of 1 cm (0.4 inches). We obtained quotes from three landscaping contractors. Each one proposed a different construction method:
Thanks in advance
We recently finished building and are currently planning our garden with a terrace. The terrace will face south and measure 40m2 (430 sq ft). We have planned to use 80 x 80 x 2 cm (32 x 32 x 0.8 inches) porcelain tiles. The terrace should be accessible from the living room via a minimal step of 1 cm (0.4 inches). We obtained quotes from three landscaping contractors. Each one proposed a different construction method:
- Reinforced concrete + crushed stone + tiles with a drainage channel in front of the door + edge stones
- Reinforced concrete + 5 cm (2 inches) drainage concrete slab + tiles + no drainage channel + no edge stones
- Gravel + geotextile fabric + crushed stone + tiles + no drainage channel + edge stones
Thanks in advance
O
Oberhäslich7 Nov 2025 21:44If you want it to last longer, for 2cm (1 inch) it's better to use frost-resistant and drainage mortar (Rheinkies 8/25 + cement). Curb stones are not really necessary; tile edges supported by concrete are sufficient. Whether a gutter is needed depends on whether there is a roof or not.
W
wiltshire8 Nov 2025 12:28home2020 schrieb:
- Mineral concrete + crushed stone + slabs with channel in front of the door + edging stones
- Mineral concrete + 5 cm (2 inches) drainage concrete slab + slabs + without channel + without edging stones
- Gravel + geotextile + crushed stone + slabs + without channel + edging stones
I would prefer option 1, which promises optimal drainage. Movement of the slabs is unlikely with good workmanship. Small amounts of debris may occasionally collect in the joints, so occasional sanding will be necessary. The construction is stable and easy to repair if a slab cracks or breaks. Carelessness when playing boules is enough to cause damage.
Option 2 has the advantage that everything is very solid and the joints are sealed. I would not build it without a channel, since drainage is somewhat more challenging. Repairs are quite complex.
Option 3 is probably the most economical and works well if installed properly. The risk that the fairly large slabs might settle unevenly and create uneven edges is too high for me; I would only consider this option with smaller slabs. It is definitely easy to repair.
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